US 12,490,388 B2 · Overmolded printed circuit board and connector with integrated stand-up mounting and ground connection

Abstract

A control unit which meets desired packaging requirements, eliminates the need for right-angle or L-shaped pins, and has a reduced footprint. The control unit includes a connector, a circuit board connected to the connector, and an encapsulation housing. The encapsulation housing surrounds at least a portion of the circuit board and at least a portion of the connector. The connector includes a base flange, a shroud integrally formed with the base flange, a plurality of pins extending through the base flange and partially extending into the circuit board. The connector also includes at least one grounding pin connected to the base flange which partially extends into the circuit board. A bushing extends through a mounting post formed as part of the base flange such that the bushing is in contact with the grounding pin, where the grounding pin and the bushing are part of a grounding connection.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a control unit, including:
a connector further comprising:
a plurality of crush ribs;
a plurality of support ribs (58);
a peripheral support wall), at least one of the plurality of crush ribs is integrally formed as part of the peripheral support wall;
a circuit board connected to the connector such that each of the plurality of crush ribs is deformed as the connector is connected to the circuit board and the support ribs come into contact with the circuit board;
and
an encapsulation housing;
wherein the encapsulation housing surrounds at least a portion of the circuit board and at least a portion of the connector.

6 more elements

A control unit, comprising:

a connector the connector further comprising:
a base flange;
a shroud integrally formed with the base flange;
a plurality of pins;
at least one mounting post integrally formed as part of the base flange;
a circuit board connected to the connector, each of the plurality of pins extending through the base flange such that a portion of each of the plurality of pins is surrounded by the shroud, and another portion of each of the plurality of pins extends through the circuit board;
at least one grounding pin connected to the base flange such that a portion of the at least one grounding pin extends through the base flange and into the circuit board, such that the at least one grounding pin is connected to the circuit board and in contact with the at least one mounting post;
and
an encapsulation housing which surrounds at least a portion of the circuit board and at least a portion of the connector;
wherein a fastener is inserted through the at least one grounding pin and the at least one mounting post to provide a ground connection and connect the control unit with a vehicle.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/050,430Filed 27 Oct 2022 · us provisional application

Priority

6 Jun 2022

Published

US 2023/0397346 A17 Dec 2023

Granted

2 Dec 2025

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

H05K 5/0034
Provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units: having an overmolded housing covering the PCB
H01R 12/7011
Guiding, mounting, polarizing or locking means; Extractors: locking or fixing a connector to a PCB
H01R 12/7076
Coupling devices: for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
H01R 12/716
Co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit:…

Overmolded printed circuit board and connector with integrated stand-up mounting and ground connection

Life of this patent

Overmolded printed circuit board and connector with integrated stand-up mounting and ground connection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18